The White River Valley Historical Society completed a series of summer history courses on Saturday, August 11, with a day-long workshop, “Beginning Historical/Genealogical Research”. The workshop featured seven presentations ranging from beginning strategies to planning a research trip to breaking through brick walls. Between each presentation, participants reviewed examples of the holdings of the Society’s research library, learned to use microfilm readers, and began completing forms and project sheets for their personal research.

Earlier in the week, two children’s history courses for the Forsyth Boys & Girls Club ended. A “Beginning History” multi-week course for younger participants included a visit to Forsyth Cemetery, the Historical Society and “old” Forsyth (now Shadowrock Park), as well as coloring pages of Forsyth-area businesses and preparation of scrapbooks. Older participants were involved in a course which included visits to the cemetery, WRVHS, park, Forsyth Library, and Community Presbyterian Church. During the six hours of the course, Club members “adopted” a new “cousin” who once lived in the Forsyth area, learned to do online and physical research, toured “new” Forsyth, and studied the history of the Union Church/Stone Chapel bell and vintage steamer trunk on display at the WRVHS. After preparing flip charts about their “cousin” and the history of Forsyth, the students were interviewed on film about their experience with the course. These interviews will be showcased during a presentation on September 9 at the Society, located at 297 Main Street, Forsyth.

The next scheduled courses hosted by the 51-year-old Society will be in late fall, and tentatively will include a multi-week, hands-on research course, a presentation on the Civil War and a repeat of Saturday’s workshop. Individuals and groups interested in participation, as well as home-school group children’s classes, are encouraged to contact the Society at 417-546-2210, or email wrvhs@hotmail.com. There is no cost for the classes, with the courses underwritten by a grant from the Roy W. Slusher Foundation.